Leftovers 2013

Golden Snow VIDEO


Annual Christmas POEM


(Just Below The Above)






Comparative Data for the Last Nine YEARS

2013 Summary, etc.

The Year in Review:


2013 was indeed a year to remember: We had the highest total yearly count in the history of the Hawkwatch; the highest single day count of hawks; the highest hourly total; and, the highest total number of Bald Eagles for a year.




The highest total number of hawks for a year prior to this year was 15,398 in 2010. This year the total was 21,221 more than 37% above that total.

The highest single day count prior to this year was 7344 (7313 BW) in 2010. This year was 8449 (8430 BW) on September 18. Rockfish had their fourth highest count on September 17 with 8244 (8202 BW).

The Bald Eagle recovery continued to a new high of 121 this year – the previous high was 104 in 2011.




Baron Gibson's exuberance on 9/18/13 was as straightforward and energetic as he is:

“PHENOMENAL, WOW, once in a lifetime maybe, is how I would describe today's daily record setting count at the watch. With the late flight last night, Tina & myself decided to get to the watch an hour early in hopes of seeing lift off & lift off we saw. Dave Brunstetter was there when we arrived & had already counted 27 BW's. Hawks were observed low in the valley on the west side getting up and streaming out. After an hour of counting (721 counted) the skies cleared just enough for us to see a huge flight come right over the watch sometimes 10-15 wide streaming & kettling, Kettling & streaming with 5,527 BW's counted. BW's by hr (7:45-8) 27 (8-9) 721 (9-10) 5,527 (10-11) 268 (11-12) 996 (12-1) 583 (1-2) 62 (2-3) 237 (3-4) 2 (4-5) 7 2 Bald Eagles, Imm @ 12:38, AEBE @ 15:48 Special thanks to Dave Brunstetter for helping me count the multitudes.”

The regular Counters this year were: Joyce Holt, Bill and Katie James, Baron Gibson, Dillard Childress, David Kirk, and Carl Christianson. Somewhat irregular, but very important, counters were David Brunstetter, Matt Hosmer, Allen and Robin Austin, Barry Kinzie, Mike Crowder and Liz Williams.




Regular Observers this year included, but were not limited to: Darryl Martin, Andy Biggs, Eunice Hudgins, Phillip Ferguson, Tina Gibson, Kathy Brett, Jen, Randy Doss, Teresa Kinzie, Al Miller, and Norris Ford. We continue to appreciate assistance from Hollins University and Virginia Western during Broadwing season as well as many other Broadwing week regulars.




On 9/15/13, we had the earliest Golden Eagle on record, an immature.




Eye-balling the current (9 year) record, it looks like many species were below average this year including: Ospreys, Harriers, Sharpies, Kestrels, Merlins and Red Shoulders. Does anyone wonder if the melting permafrost enhances the food supply differentially to the Broadwings?

Is this a graph of BW migration? Click and see:







Nice Redtail-Squirrel Video From Richard E


Let's try wind farming for 30 years and see if there any Eagles left. NOT!


What those Amazon DRONES will be in for (check out the Osprey!)






You don't want to be a young OSPREY!













Harvey's Knob Current

Count


If the National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway, Dept. of the Interior, etc., would let us, we could block off the Overlook and install a pond just for these migrating BIRDS!




Thanksgiving Turkeys HERE!


David B. and the SE OWL


Joyce's Unusual DAY!

Photos of Harvey HERE!


Some Leftovers



Darryl's World Part ONE (Page Down)






Sausage Gravy DAY!
Thanks Barry!!


Immature Golden Eagle at the Knob September 15th, 2013!
Pictures HERE! (Then Page Down)


Also including Carl's Big Day, Mature and Immature Broadwings, a local Redtail, and more!




What scientific measure is used to determine the end of Broadwing


SEASON?


Late 9/16/13 flight - See CATMAN (or Baron on the throne) HERE!
(Then Page Down)


9/17/13 - A Cloudy Day Here!


The Biggest Day EVER!
(Then Page Down)


These high numbers are likely a Result of a new incantation by the small group of Dave and Bill


Jim Hylton's daughter and granddaughter were special visitors to the Knob on this big day.


See if you believe this Osprey's migration with two days and
nights of non-stop FLIGHT!

On to Cuba and then to Venezuela!! Look HERE!


More HERE!


The Osprey has settled in HERE


Some Osprey Behavior


A Flying SONG

Late on November 5th, Katie and I had 99 birds - waiting for one more when these two birds appeared flapping across the sky:

Enlarge (X2) and note the top bird's legs.

Playing?:

Shadowing?

And then they were gone:

September 19, 2012 was the third highest total at Harvey's










since records were begun - 5245!




Hard work for Baron who did an




incredible job! Some saw a BE chasing a PG - a first for many


of us!!!


People kettling up that day:


























Barry cordially invites you to a Sausage Gravy Breakfast on




Sunday September 22rd, 2013 at 9-10AM on Harvey's Knob.


Last Year's RESULTS:


The chef prepares:









The Birds arrive:























The Chef's reward:









And we all miss JOHN......










Dillard sharing his knowledge with a through hiker:












(or trying to sell his Jeep.....)



New Revision of a Standard Hawk Book!


A review is HERE!


Another HERE!






The Grand Old Hawkwatch of the South is HERE!


Marriage under the.......BROADWINGS?






Dragonfly RECIPES!






Baron Retires to the Mountain!


Read this very nice ARTICLE about his retirement!


And this ONE!





We will miss Virginia Shields this year, a frequent visitor to, and friend of, Harvey's Knob Hawkwatch and birding in the Roanoke Valley.

Harvey's Knob Hawk Totals 1977-2013

Christmas Poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all across the mountain

Not a raptor was stirring and no one was a-countin’!

The Vultures were hanging on the rails without care

In hopes that a Hawkwatcher soon would be there.

The Red Tails were nestled all snug in their trees

While visions of meadow voles danced in the breeze

(Which was a Beaufort of three or possibly four

And out of the Northwest – Who could ask for more!)

The ravens were flying, barrel rolling with jive!

The moon was full, with visibility a five……

When out of the Northeast there arose such a clatter

Every creature looked up to see what was the matter.

When what to their wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh and eight Hawkwatchers in gear.

With a little old driver, so lively a knave,

It was clear in a moment it must be Saint Dave!

As rapid as Eagles, his coursers they came

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

“Now, Gibsons! Now Kirk! Now David B. and Katie!

On Dillard! On Carl! On Joyce, Milady!

On Leader, On Founder, You have to carry ‘em,

They’re a heavy load, but - On Myriam!

To the top of the mountain! To Harvey’s, Heed the call!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

“As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So do the hawks” said Saint Dave, “in migration.

They grace this spot, depending on precipitation,

Thermals, dew point and other weather factors.

They all contribute to the counter seeing raptors.”

The sleigh came to rest on the Overlook floor,

And from the Southwest came another great roar:

A bus appeared and from the moon-lit sky fell,

With sleepy-eyed Hawkwatchers, saying: “What the Hell?”

“Here is your Christmas present” said Old Saint Dave

And to each a gold and silver counter he gave.

“But this counter is incredible” said all the counting crew

“It goes all the way up into the millions or two!”

“You can’t count that many hawks!” said Deadeye Mike Crowder

“I can! I can” said Matt and Phillip both getting louder.

Teresa said: “There must be more to this story”

“Indeed!” said the Goffs, “Indeed” echoed Cory.

The Wefels starting counting, Kathy B. and Eunice too,

Quinns, Austins, Williams, Tuckers – their thumbs turning blue.

Mike Purdy, Allen Miller – they were clicking like mad

But counting nothing and Darryl said: “This is sad.”

And says Andy to them all: ”This is very, very crazy!”

Adds Barry to the clicking: “Anyone want gravy?”

Said Saint Dave to the crowd: “I’m glad I’ve brought you joy

With this little trinket – this little counting toy.

But what do you do here? What’s the good of your eye?”

And with that cue, they one and all looked up high

And beheld a river of raptors in lines through the sky:

Every hawk that did or would ever fly.

No clickers were clicking, open each mouth

As the river ran from the North and the South.

“This is the circle of migration that you all will make”

Said the Saint to them all “And now you must awake!”

On Christmas morning, each one awoke with awe

At the dream they had had, the river they saw.

Each had a memory of resounding words that night:

“Happy Christmas to all and to all a good flight!”

Yearly Data 2005-2013

Happy Thanksgiving, Turkeys (drying)!

(Been a long year, y'know.....)

Blustery November

November 10, 2013, a blustery day:

The immature Bald Eagle coming in for a landing.  He failed at the pine tree to the west and then went North.  This is our local Bald Eagle.  We shall call him Harvey!

Another view of Harvey:

A Golden over the valley at a distance:

Lots of these:

And some HobKnobbers:

A good day on the mountain!

David B. and the SE Owl

October 27th, 2013

David reports:

"Very exciting bird. We knew right away it was something different as it had a very weird wing flap. It stayed around a long time, mostly high in the air. It would go north, then south, then east, then west. It was often following high above a vulture. Finally it left. Then a minute or so later it reappeared near the knob, low and to the south. Unfortunately, I had put my camera away by then."

These are some of the photos:

Leftovers

Identification problem:

Another Identification problem (spotted going North several times - check markings - Don't count!):

No ID problem:

Darryl's Corner (of the world) - Brush Piles

In an attempt to provide habitat for wildlife, I have been building and maintaining brush piles for
a number of years. There is no right or wrong way. This is just the approach I follow.

1. Pick a site that has easy access and is bounded by woods on at least one side. Easy access is
critical if you plan on maintaining the site over several years. Although there may be sufficient
material to build the original site, yearly supplements usually require material being brought in.

2. Most critical for site preparation is to cut any trees or brush that will be on or near the
immediate site. These items hang up brush being thrown into the site and make for poor brush
piles and much frustration for the builder.

3. The base of the stack is where access for rabbits (rabbitat) and other small animals is built.
Logs around 6" or larger in diameter fit the bill nicely. The idea is to line them up parallel, with
gaps between them, so that animals can get in for protection from weather and predators. A
couple of right angle turns are good to add for further protection or possibly a backdoor exit.
Keep in mind that if you make the gap between the logs too large predators can get in.

4. On top of the logs add 1" to 2" branches (locust is best for durability) to make a "top" that will
help keep decaying brush from dropping into logs and blocking access.

5. Add brush evenly across the pile trying not to block the bottom access holes. Always throw the
most brushy end to the far side of the pile away from you. This allows for tighter stacking and
fewer branches in your face blocking a good throw.

6. I like to add a pretty heavy layer of evergreen, such as pine, to help with rain and snow
protection. It's amazing how many years it will last. I used Holly branches from a trimmed yard
tree on the pile in the picture.

7. Keep adding until the pile is around 5 feet tall and add each year as decay takes place. The
animals usually take care of keeping the bottom gaps open and it's pretty common to see the
openings they frequent.

Notes:

I added a couple of pictures which show a new site and a few of the steps--chainsaw and tractor
added for scaling. The last picture is a site I have maintained for probably 20+ years. The site is
about 25 to 30 feet long, about 5 feet high and 10 feet or more deep. I add lots to it each each
year.

A great place to build bird habitat is in a gully or wash area. Put the brush pointed up the gully,
against the direction of water flow, to help catch debris coming down the gully. I don't use logs in
these piles, for rabbits, because of the water. However the birds seem to like them since they
tend to be more protected. Dual purpose habitat like this allows for birds and helps the land with
healing. I only do this in areas that will not be washed away in the event of a large rain.

If a large hole opens up in the pile you may have something like a Coyote living there. If you
have doubts about allowing larger stuff to inhabit just throw a couple of large logs in the way.
Depending on how much they like the home, you may have to do it several times.

Always add new brush from the same side of your brush pile. After many years of doing this I
can tell you that it just makes life easier. Also try to NOT let the "add side" grow in boundary.
Tripping over thin brush pile edges is not fun as it tends to bang up your shins. If you want to add
depth just throw stuff over the pile.

Piles tend to be rather loose at the beginning but pack nicely over the years. Just give it time and
throw on a big piece now and then to mash it down.

Don't get carried away with building multiple sites. It takes work if you want to keep them viable.